Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||||
| 02010 | 04/26/2002 | 634033 | Customer support program to provide supplemental tire warranty coverage on factory equipped bridgestone potenza p175/65r14xl low-rolling resistance tires. *tt | 09/26/2002 | |
| PG01500 | 10/13/2000 | 618308 | Information regarding replacement tires. *jb | 04/11/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||
| 01/11/2006 | 1 | ||
| My 2001 toyota prius consistently wore out the front tires on the inside part of the tread, not easily visible from the street. the tires wore down to the cords in less than 10,000 miles. my wife had an accident where she could not stop the car in time to avoid it. my young daughter was in the car at the time. these cars are still on the road. i complained to toyota but the complaint fell on deaf ears. *tr | |||
| 07/11/2002 | 4 | 06/08/2001 | |
| Tires on vehicle are coming apart on the inside tread line after approximately 5,000 miles of use. we had one crash where car could not be stopped in time. did not put the crash together with the tire problem until recently. *nm | |||
| 04/29/2005 | 60000 | 4 | 07/12/2001 |
| I have serious and repeating problems with suspension/ tires on my toyota prius 2001 car (manufactured 06/01). three times the front tires where abnormally and significantly worn (during approx 7,500 miles) with, with side and top scars etc. toyota already changed the tires four times but they are unable to solve problem. however, the same problem is likely repeat itself again and again, and changing the tires is not a solution. i do not like driving on such dangerously worn tires; moreover, it is against the law to drive on tires in such condition). car was regularly in scheduled toyota service (including tires rotation, pressure check etc.). | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 26000 | ||
| This is the 3rd set of tires i have had to put on the car due to uneven wear. i only have 48000 miles on the car. the tires wear as though they are under inflated, but i am careful to be sure that i am following the manufacturers recommendation for tire inflation. since this is the only tire useable on this car, i am very disappointed in toyota's response to the problem. since toyota probably gave the specs to bridgestone to manufacture the tire, it is toyota's responsibility to assure that the tire was designed to be to have a normal tread life as well as help the car function efficiently. it is really tough to have to pay $80.00 a tire and have it only last 25000 miles. yes i have had the dealer servicing the car and rotating the tires and the alignment is fine. the problem is the tire that toyota requires to be used on the prius. | |||
| 10/22/2003 | 33987 | 4 | 03/01/2001 |
| While driving the vehicle at 35mph, the front passenger tire blew out. (size # p175/65r14) (dot # unknown.) the manufacturer has been contacted. please provide further information. *ph tires were rotated when the oil was changed. dealer stated tires failed due to lack of rotation. on one occasion, consumer thoroughly checked the tire before driving. took vehicle to the dealer and they found a worm nail after looking for over an hour. consumer has the tires. after the first failure, the consumer contacted went to firestone for replacement tires. firestone stated they could another tire and get the same effect since they didn't have it in stock. toyota stated differently and nor did they have the tire in stock. after days of threats, toyota had the same exact tire available for the consumer. *ph | |||
| 07/09/2002 | 1 | 05/18/2001 | |
| Suspected quality issue resulting in premature wear of front driver's side tire, leading to potentially unsafe driving/handling situations.*ak | |||
| 07/28/2003 | 32000 | 4 | 05/28/2001 |
| Bridgestone potenza tires, p175/65r14- on july 28, 2003 had to replace tires on the 2001 toyota prius. one tire was flat. i noticed that the tire had a big crack and the cords were visible. i looked at it closer and noticed that there were cracks halfway around the tire. i looked at the other 3 tires and noticed that they had cracks also. the tires looked liked they were very old. *ak | |||
| 12/31/2001 | 1 | 06/28/2001 | |
| Within 9 months of vehicle purchase i had three flat tires and replaced the bridgestone potenza tires with a different brand rather than rist additional failures. *ak | |||
| 08/03/2003 | 35974 | 2 | 09/16/2001 |
| Extreme tire blow out(only shreds left)hesitation resulting in loss of power in traffic/gas pedal sensor?*ak | |||
| 06/20/2003 | 18000 | 1 | 09/20/2002 |
| Premature tire wear on toyota prius. *ak | |||
| 07/11/2003 | 1 | ||
| There is a tire separation problem with the latest set of bridgestone tires that we received from the toyota dealer for our prius. the original tires were recalled due to premature wear. the rear left tire separated and my daughter luckily was able to control the vehicle on the freeway at under 55 mph. she noticed the problem immediately when she got on the freeway or she might have lost control. for an example of the separation, see: http://www.firestone-tire-recall.com/pages/advocate/11-13.html we had the same problem with the left rear and same new condition as link above.*ak | |||
| 11/04/2002 | 20000 | 1 | 08/01/2001 |
| The consumer experienced a flat tire. the consumer noticed the tire was worn badly on the inside. the manufacturer offered a supplemental tire warranty, in which the consumer did qualify, due to the fact the tires weren't rotated. scc | |||
| 09/21/2002 | 2 | 07/01/2001 | |
| The front tires wore out unevenly. the outside of the tires wore to the point that air was leaking out. consumer tires were not apart of a recall toyota issued according to the vin of the vehicle. the tires are bridgestone potenza re 92, tubeless steel belted radial m+s. p175/65 r14 84s. dot # el 9p t9902, jdh 2301 e92z. consumer request recall information on these tires stated above. *jg | |||
| 08/02/2001 | 3 | 01/01/2001 | |
| We had a tire separate at 75mph in the rear. a couple weeks later the front right tire separated at 70mph. the car had approx. 20000 on it. when toytota raised the car they found a third front left tire had begun to seperate. i said i did not trust these bridgestone/firestone tires so they put on michelin tires. the dealer then called and said no other tire could support the weight of the prius. they had already put the michelins on. i called all the tire manufactures to find out that only the factory bridgestone/firestone tires could support the weight of the hybrid prius. i phoned toyota and firestone. both said they would call me back within three weeks. no one had called. toyota said it is a tire manufacturer problem, but they use their tires. i went to the dealer to be told since i took the car in they had three other prius's come in with blown tires all with about 20000 miles on them. i went to sears in san bernardino and was told that they too had two prius's with blown tires. i have lost over $2000.00 and spent three weeks with a painful knee and toyota doesn't care. i got three friends to buy toyota priuss and i now worry about their tires. since this started toyota email me and said do not drive the car over 85 mph for the tires can not support the car and speed. why weren't we told this at time of purchase? no other tire is made for the car and the bridgestone/firestone tires are not up to supporting the car safely ever. i will take my chances with the michelins. other prius owners have told me they will take their chances with other brands even if they are not rated for car. *ak *jb | |||
| 06/26/2002 | 1 | 12/31/2000 | |
| Original equipment had worn down to the tread. while driving at 50 mph in a 2001 toyota, prius left rear tire had a blowout. replacement equipment tire size p175/65r14, dot# el9pjdh0102. bridgestone and manufacturer were notifed. *ak consumer believes vehicle is too heavy for tires. *tt | |||
| 09/14/2001 | 4 | 12/01/2000 | |
| Continued excessive tire wear possible cause vehicle weight and alignment problem. i am on my third set of tires in 30,000 miles and the tires that are now on the car are wearing poorly after less then 5,000 miles. toyota is refusing to help me with this problem any further then they have. the car wonders in slightly windy conditions and freeway driving which fells unsafe. toyota has had to replace the computer and do a valve job due to the loss of power i experienced, which could have been a very dangerous situation.*ak | |||
| 08/02/2001 | 3 | 01/01/2001 | |
| We had a tire separate at 75mph in the rear. a couple weeks later the front right tire separated at 70mph. the car had approx. 20000 on it. when toytota raised the car they found a third front left tire had begun to seperate. i said i did not trust these bridgestone/firestone tires so they put on michelin tires. the dealer then called and said no other tire could support the weight of the prius. they had already put the michelins on. i called all the tire manufactures to find out that only the factory bridgestone/firestone tires could support the weight of the hybrid prius. i phoned toyota and firestone. both said they would call me back within three weeks. no one had called. toyota said it is a tire manufacturer problem, but they use their tires. i went to the dealer to be told since i took the car in they had three other prius's come in with blown tires all with about 20000 miles on them. i went to sears in san bernardino and was told that they too had two prius's with blown tires. i have lost over $2000.00 and spent three weeks with a painful knee and toyota doesn't care. i got three friends to buy toyota priuss and i now worry about their tires. since this started toyota email me and said do not drive the car over 85 mph for the tires can not support the car and speed. why weren't we told this at time of purchase? no other tire is made for the car and the bridgestone/firestone tires are not up to supporting the car safely ever. i will take my chances with the michelins. other prius owners have told me they will take their chances with other brands even if they are not rated for car. *ak *jb | |||
| 01/15/2002 | 1 | 08/31/2000 | |
| Tires on 2001, toyota, prius, original equipment, tire size p175/65r14, dot# el 9p cha 2700 and el 9p cha 2800 are wearing unusually. manufacturer was notified. *ak *yh | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated tires had to be replaced at less than 15,000 miles, the right front and left front tire failed from excessive wear, consumer stated tires on a new vehicle should not show signs of excessive wear in 15,000, the dealer inflated the tire pressure to 32psi, however consumer was later informed that tire needed to be inflated between 45 and 50 psi, consumer is requesting reimbursement since originally the dealer under inflated the tires.*jb | |||
| 12/01/2001 | 4 | ||
| Experienced four blowouts on orginal equipment bridgestone tires, size p17565r14. front side and rear passenger side tires had two of the four blowouts. third blowout occured while vehicle was being test driven at dealership. all blowouts have occurred at low speeds, except for blowout at the dealership. *ak *slc | |||
| 11/10/2001 | 4 | 11/01/1999 | |
| At 30,000 mile service i was told my car was not safe to drive. the tires were worn to the cords. toyota replaced them for free, but i was told that the prius was known for having problems with their tires. had i not been told about the condition of my tires, i might have had an accident. other prius owners should be notified of this.*ak (tiresize: p175/65r14) | |||
| 08/28/2001 | 4 | 10/01/2000 | |
| I was advised during a routine oil change that my tires were unsafe to drive on. i was also advised that tiyota knows that these unique tores fail at about 10,000 miles. toyota says that these tires are the only type acceptable for use on this vehicle and to use another manufacturer will void the warranty. there are no replacement tires available and they (the dealer) estimates at least one month wait. *ak (tiresize: p175/65r14) | |||
| 01/01/2001 | 3 | 09/01/2000 | |
| Original equipment bridgestone 13inch tires for the 2001, toyota, tires had to be replaced 3 times in a five month period for front passenger and driver sides of vehicle.*ak tires continually wear on the inside tread of the tire, consumer states this happens almost every 3000 miles, wear is primarily with the left front where the electric battery/motor are. *slc | |||
| TIRES - TREAD/BELT | |||
| 08/11/2004 | 68362 | 4 | 01/31/2001 |
| Consumer inspected the tires and the belts wore into the steel. tires were replaced on the front four times. vehicle was aligned several times but the tires continued to wear. they were replaced with the same make/model tire.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 25600 | 1 | 06/16/2001 |
| 6/2001 prius; mileage ~20,000; bridgestone potenza 175/65/r14rx original tires; while driving approximately 40 mph on surface streets, rear right passenger tread separated from the tire. dealer recommended going to tire vendor for warrantee replacement. plan to pursue issue with toyota.*ak | |||
| 07/21/2003 | 1 | ||
| Potenza 175/65/r14xl (oem tires) which are specifically made for the prius, wear quickly and on the edges. this resulted in my tire tread having a 1/32 rating, while the middle of the tire still had a long life left.*ak when making sharp turns at low speeds (especially when the car is cold), the steering wheel will vibrate (sometimes audibly, sometimes not). were this to happen at even a slightly higher speed, accidents may occur. this problem has become more frequent in the last few weeks. it now occurs at least every other day. | |||
| 07/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| While traveling about 70mph on the highway without prior warning the driver side front tread separated from the vehicle. the tire bridgestone potenxa re92 175/65r14. dealer is aware of problem. this is the correct tire 175/65r14 xl845. *ak | |||
| 05/29/2003 | 47000 | 2 | 09/09/2000 |
| The tires on our 2001 prius continually fail after about 15,000 miles. we have had state inspections fail because of tread wear, refused service at bridgestone dealers because of tread wear. with less than 50k miles we are working on the third set of tires. we check pressure and rotate our tires regularly. since toyota claims there are no replacements and no tread wear warranties, we think the car should no longer be allowed on the us market. *nlm | |||
| 08/11/2001 | 0 | ||
| Consumer took vehicle to a shop for a routine check up and mechanic inspected front tires, and noticed that on both tires tread began to separate. they were bridge stone/ firestone tires. dealership was aware of problem.*ak | |||